Trimming apparatus

ABSTRACT

Trimming apparatus for prunning hedges and the like wherein at least one circular disc having teeth round its periphery is positioned adjacent a plate member and preferably between parallel, spaced apart plate members having first teeth along edge portions thereof. Said second teeth are positioned to at least partially overlap said first teeth as said circular discs are rotated by a drive means. Preferably said first teeth are positioned along opposite, substantially parallel edge portions and said second teeth overlap first teeth along each said parallel edge portion. In addition, a catching means is preferably provided for collecting the trimmings as they are cut and directing them to one side of the apparatus.

United States Patent Troutman 1 Jan. 23, 1973 [s41 TRIMMING APPARATUSPrimary Examiner-James L. Jones Jr. [76] Inventor: Glenn R. Troutman,684 Valemont Drive Penn "ms p Allegheny Attorney-Buell, Blenko &Zresenherm County, Pa. 15147 [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: April 12, 1971App]. No.: 133,133

Trimming apparatus for prunning hedges and the like wherein at least onecircular disc having teeth round its periphery is positioned adjacent aplate member and preferably between parallel, spaced apart plate membershaving first teeth along edge portions thereof. Said second teeth arepositioned to at least partially overlap said first teeth as saidcircular discs are rotated by a drive means. Preferably said first teethare positioned along opposite, substantially parallel edge portions andsaid second teeth overlap first teeth along each said parallel edgeportion. In addition, a catching means is preferably provided forcollecting the trimmings as they are cut and directing them to one sideof the apparatus.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 23 I975 SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTORGlenn R. Troutmun SHEET 2 OF 2 PATENTEUJAH 23 I973 25 Fig 2 INVENTORGlann R. Troufman Fig.3.

TRIMMING APPARATUS My invention relates to trimming apparatus forcutting hedges and the like. It is particularly useful in providing anapparatus of simple and durable construction for trimming hedges betterand more rapidly.

Prunning apparatus for trimming hedges and the like is broadly old andwell-known. One form, which has been widely manufactured and used,resembled a sickle-bar mower: Blades were positioned adjacently along astationary bar, and blades were positioned adjacently along a moveablebar. The moveable bar was powered so that it slid reciprocally acrossthe stationary bar to form a scissor-like cutting action between theblades. Such devices were effective for cutting small and newly growntrimmings. But they were limited in that they would jam rather than cutlarger and older growth. In addition, such devices required detailedmaintenance for continued service.

Another form was similar to a rotary lawn mower: Rotor blades werepositioned on the end portion of a moveable arm which in turn waspositioned on a moveable frame, or were positioned directly on saidmoveable frame. The cutting action was achieved by rotating the rotorblades at high speed. One such proposal of this form was shown in U.S.Pat. No. 3,443,005. Such devices were effective in cutting larger andolder growth aswell as small and new growth. But the apparatus was bulkyand dangerous to operate, and in addition, caused frayed rather thanclean-cut ends where the trimmings were removed. The latter wasdetrimental to the appearance and continued healthy growth of the hedge.

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages and difficulties andprovides an apparatus of simple and'durable construction for trimminghedges better and more rapidly.

I provide trimming apparatus with at least one plate member, andpreferably two plate members positioned parallel and spaced from oneanother. Said plate members have first teeth along edge portions thereofand, where two parallely spaced plate members are used, said first teethof said plate members preferably coinciding with each other. At leastone circular disc rotatably mounted adjacent said plate members andpreferably between two said plate members, preferably by a shaft throughsaid plate members and said circular disc. Said circular disc has secondteeth round the periphery thereof and positioned to at least partiallyoverlap at least some of said first teeth along said edge portions ofsaid plate members during rotation of said circular disc. And drivemeans for rotating said circular disc are mounted adjacent said platemembers.

In operation, the trimming apparatus is moved along the hedge with thecircular discs rotating. The trimmings to be cut encounter said firstteeth and are gathered. Preferably, said first teeth are shaped so as todirect the trimmings toward center portions of said circular discs. Thesecond teeth then make a clean cut of the trimmings as said second teethoverlap thefirst teeth during rotation. In this regard, I prefer, whereonly one plate member is used, that the second teeth be beveled and thecircular disc be positioned closely adjacent the plate member to providefor cleaner cutting of the trimmings. However, I prefer that two platemembers be used and the circular disc be positioned between them; inthis way, a clean cut is easily made because the trimmings are supportedon both sides of the circular disc as they are cut.

I prefer that the plate members be elongated and that a plurality ofsaid circular discs be mounted along said plate members and preferablybetween them. Additionally I prefer that circular discs adjacentlymounted along said plate members be rotated by said drive means inopposite directions.

Said trimming apparatus can be moved along to effect trimming of hedgesand the like in any suitable way. If it is a large embodiment, it may beconvenient to attach it to a motorized frame with wheels which can bedriven along the hedge as it is trimmed. I prefer however that mytrimming apparatus be of small scale so that it can be readily movedabout and operated by one person by hand. In this connection, I preferthat handle means for moving said trimming apparatus, during operationthereof, be attached adjacent end portions of said plate members, eitherby direct attachment to said plate member or by indirect attachmentthrough, for example, the housing of a portion of the drive means.

For flexibility and ease of use by either a righthanded or left-handedperson, I additionally prefer that said first teeth are positioned alongopposite, substantially parallel elongated edge portions of said platemembers and said second teeth are positioned to overlap some of saidfirst teeth along both of said elongated edge portions. In this way thetrimming apparatus can perform the trimming operation by movement ineither direction substantially perpendicular to said elongated edgeportions.

Alternatively, or supplementally, I prefer that catching means forcollecting trimmings cut by said trimming apparatus and preferably fordirecting said trimmings to one side of said trimming apparatus arepositioned adjacent said plate members. In this way the trimmings cut bythe apparatus do not fall into the hedge where they are difficult toremove. They are instead collected in said catching means which can beremoved from time to time to dispose of the trimmings in a container, ordeposited on the ground to one side of the hedge where they can beeasily raked together. Further, I prefer that the catching means hesymmetrical so that it can be mounted on either edge portion toaccommodate use by both right and left-handed per- I sons of theflexible embodiment described above.

Other details, objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent as the following description of the presently preferredembodiments thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, l illustrate presently preferredembodiments of my invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trimming apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative trimming apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of the trimming apparatus shown inFIG. 2.

Referring specifically to the drawings, a trimming apparatus has twoelongated plate members 2 positioned substantially parallel and spacedfrom each other. Each plate member 2 has first teeth 3 along oppositesubstantially parallel edge portions 4, with first teeth 21 coincidingwith first teeth of the other plate member 20. Two circular discs 5 arerotatably mounted adjacent and between plate members 2 on shifts 6 whichextend through plate members 2. Each circular disc has second teeth 7round the periphery thereof which are positioned to overlap some of saidfirst teeth 3 along each said elongated edge portion 4. First teeth 3are shaped so as to direct the trimmings to be cut toward centerportions of said circular discs 5.

Drive means 8 are comprised of pulley means 9 rigidly fastened on shafts6 adjacent and above plate member 2, a belt 10 contacting adjacentpulley means 9 on opposite sides to rotate the adjacent circular discs 5in opposite directions, drive pulley means 11 for driving belt 10, and apower source 12, such as an electric motor, enclosed in housing 13.

Housing 13 is mounted on plate member 2 and is provided with handlingmeans 14 for operation of the trimming apparatus. For safety reasons,the pulley means 9 and belt 10 may be provided with a shield (notshown).

Preferably the belt 10 has lugs 15 and pulley means 9 and 11 havecorresponding lug teeth 16 to provide for more positive drive of thecircular discs 5. In this-connection, I also prefer that a clutch means17 be provided in housing 13 so that if the trimming apparatus shouldjam during use, the power source 12 will not be stalled and in turndamaged.

As a safety feature, I prefer that trigger switching means 18 forturning off and on power source 12 be provided in both handling means14. Switching means 18 are biased so that they can be maintained in theon" position only by exerting force on them. By this arrangement, thepower source 12 can be actuated only by holding both switching means 18in the on" position and is deactuated if either one or both of theswitching means 18 are released.

In an alternative embodiment, (FIG. 2 and 3), a trimming apparatus hastwo elongated plate members 20 positioned substantially parallel andspaced from each other. Each plate member 20 has first teeth 21 alongopposite substantially parallel edge portions 22, with first teeth 21coinciding with first teeth 21 of the other plate member 20. Threecircular discs 23 are rotatably mounted adjacent and between platemembers 20 on shafts 24 which extend through plate members 20. Eachcircular disc 23 has second teeth 25 round the periphery thereof whichare positioned to overlap some of said first teeth 21 along each saidelongated edge portion 22. First teeth 21 are shaped so as to direct thetrimmings to be cut toward center portions of in opposite directions,drive gear 29 for driving said chain 28, and a power source 30, such asan electric motor, enclosed in housing 31. Preferably, also enclosed inhousing 31 is clutch means 32 between the power source 30 and the drivegear 29 so that if the trimming apparatus is jammed during operation,the power source 20 will not be stalled and in turn damaged. For safetyreasons, the gear means 27 and chain 28 may be provided with a shield(not shown).

Handling means 33 are provided on housing 31 to provide for movement ofthe trimming apparatus durin%operation thereof.

a chmg means 34 1S fastened to the plate member 20 at 35. CAtching means34 is symmetrical so that it can also be fastened at 36 by holes 37 toaccommodate persons who are left-handed. Catching means collecttrimmings cut by the trimming apparatus and directs them (as shown bythe arrows in FIG. 2) to one side of the trimming apparatus where thetrimmings are deposited on the ground to one side of the hedge. Therethey can be gathered and disposed of.

While I have described certain presently preferred embodiments of anduses of my invention, it is to be distinctly understood that myinvention is not limited thereto but that it may be otherwise variouslyembodied and used.

I claim:

1. A trimming apparatus comprising: a pair of elongated plate membersdisposed in substantially parallel spaced relation, each plate memberhaving first teeth along opposite edge portions thereof; a plurality ofcircular discs rotatably mounted between said plate members and havingsecond teeth around the periphery thereof, said second teeth positionedto at least partially overlap at least some of said first teeth alongsaid edge portions during rotation of said circular discs; and drivemeans for rotating said circular discs mounted adjacent said platemembers.

2. A trimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein handle means formoving said trimming apparatus during operation thereof is attachedadjacent end portions of said plate members and carries motor means forsaid drive means.

3. A trimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein adjacent circulardiscs are rotated by said drive means in opposite directions.

4. A trimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising in addition:catching means secured to one of said plate members for collectingtrimmings cut by said trimming apparatus and directing them to one sideof said trimming apparatus.

5. A trimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first teethalong corresponding edge portions of said plate members coincide witheach other.

1. A trimming apparatus comprising: a pair of elongated plate membersdisposed in substantially parallel spaced relation, each plate memberhaving first teeth along opposite edge portions thereof; a plurality ofcircular discs rotatably mounted between said plate members and havingsecond teeth around the periphery thereof, said second teeth positionedto at least partially overlap at least some of said first teeth alongsaid edge portions during rotation of said circular discs; and drivemeans for rotating said circular discs mounted adjacent said platemembers.
 2. A trimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein handlemeans for moving said trimming apparatus during operation thereof isattached adjacent end portions of said plate members and carries motormeans for said drive means.
 3. A trimming apparatus as claimed in claim1, wherein adjacent circular discs are rotated by said drive means inopposite directions.
 4. A trimming apparatus as claimed in claim 1comprising in addition: catching means secured to one of said platemembers for collecting trimmings cut by said trimming apparatus anddirecting them to one side of said trimming apparatus.
 5. A trimmingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first teeth alongcorresponding edge portions of said plate members coincide with eachother.